No evidence of disease

No evidence of disease (NED) is a term used in medicine to describe the state of a patient following treatment for a disease, most commonly cancer, when examinations and tests can no longer find evidence of the disease in the body. It is often used interchangeably with the term "complete remission".

Definition

The term "No evidence of disease" is used when tests, such as imaging studies, blood tests, and physical examinations, do not show the presence of the disease. It does not necessarily mean that the disease is cured, as there may still be microscopic disease present that is not detectable by current diagnostic methods.

Usage in Oncology

In oncology, NED is a desired state indicating that the cancer treatment has been successful at that point in time. However, it does not guarantee that the cancer will not recur in the future. The term is often used in the context of follow-up care after cancer treatment, during which regular check-ups are performed to monitor the patient's condition and detect any possible recurrence of the disease.

Limitations

While achieving a state of NED is a positive outcome, it is important to note its limitations. The term only indicates that no disease is detectable using current diagnostic methods. It does not rule out the possibility of microscopic disease that could potentially lead to a recurrence. Furthermore, the term does not provide information about the patient's prognosis or the likelihood of long-term survival.

See also

• Cancer
• Remission
• Medical diagnosis
• Medical imaging
• Oncology